Thomas L. Vance (1972)
Navarro College Professor Emeriti
Class of 1972 | Inducted 2023
After his graduation from Ennis High School, Tom Vance attended Navarro College. He was impressed by the small class size and affordability that NC offered compared to other colleges. He appreciated the availability of the instructors and their willingness to assist their students. Thomas earned his A.S. degree from Navarro, and attended Texas A&M University at Commerce where he received his B.S. in Biology and Earth Science and M.S. in Biology with an emphasis in zoology. He had begun to work on a Ph.D. in Biology when he was hired to teach at Navarro College in 1977.
During his 43-year tenure at NC, he appreciated the opportunity to work alongside some of his professors and students until the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. It was a great opportunity to teach and work with students in the classroom, lab, and in the field. He is thrilled to have seen many of his students, like Eddie Childs, go on to great careers and adventures; and he was involved with activities such as co-sponsoring Psi Beta National Honor Society in Psychology for Junior and Community Colleges, as well as co-sponsoring Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. Navarro College has been a home and career to him, for which he is very grateful. He was bestowed the honor of Emeriti at Navarro College in 2023.